Pilfer-proof package

ABSTRACT

THE NEW PACKAGE OR CARTON IN THIS APPLICATION IS SUBSTANTIALLY PILFER-PROOF AND IS OF SUCH OVERALL DIMENSIONS SO AS TO BE INCAPABLE OF BEING PLACED IN A CONVENTIONAL POCKET, OR POCKETS, OF MEN&#39;&#39;S, WOMEN&#39;&#39;S AND CHILDREN&#39;&#39;S APPAREL AND/OR INCAPABLE OF BEING PLACED IN A CONTAINER OF SUCH CONVENTIONAL DIMENSIONS AS A WOMAN&#39;&#39;S OR GIRL&#39;&#39;S PURSE, HANDBAG OR THE LIKE, THEREBY REDUCING TO A MINIMUM PILFERING OF THE CARTON WITH ONE OR MORE STEREO TAPE CARTRIDGES, OR AT LEAST ONE STEREO TAPE CARTRIDGE, AND ANOTHER DIFFERENT ARTICLE, IF DESIRED, THEREIN, AND WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE ARTICLES BEING READILY VIEWABLE THROUGH APERTURE MEANS IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE OPPOSED WALLS OF THE CARTON AND IF, AS IS OBVIOUS, ONE OF THE CARTONS WERE PLACED IN A POCKET OR PURSE OR THE LIKE, THE SAME WOULD BE READILY SEEN BY A PROPRIETOR OR A CLERK OR A STORE DETECTIVE.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Jerry R. Smith;

Sigmond Harvey Laner, Shawnee Mission, Kans.

1211 Appl, No. 873,500

{22] Filed Nov. 3, 1969 [45] Patented June 28,1971

[73] Assignee Recco,1nc.

Kansas City, Mo. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 808,129, Mar. 18, 1969, now abandoned.

[54] PILFER-PROOF PACKAGE 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,076,635 10/1913 Howard ..i(206/Fi1lers)UX 1,791,094 2/1931 Albert 229/15X 1,806,149 5/1931 Daugherty. 206/.5X

Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Exam iner Steven E. Lipman Atl0rney-Fishburn, Gold and Litman ABSTRACT: The new package or carton in this application is substantially pilfer-proof and is of such overall dimensions so as to be incapable of being placed in a conventional pocket, or pockets, of mens, womens and childrens apparel and/or incapable of being placed in a container of such conventional dimensions as a womans or girls purse, handbag or the like, thereby reducing to a minimum pilfering of the carton with one or more stereo tape cartridges, or at least one stereo tape cartridge, and another different article, if desired, therein, and with at least one of the articles being readily viewable through aperture means in at least one of the opposed walls of the carton and if, as is obvious, one of the cartons were placed in a pocket or purse or the like, the same would be readily seen by a proprietor or a clerk or a store detective.

PILFER-PROOF PACKAGE This application is a continuation in part of our copending application Ser. No. 808,129, filed Mar. 18, i969, now abandoned.

The present invention also relates to the packaging art and more particularly to a unique pilfer-proof thin, wide closed package or carton for containing spaced apart articles aligned end to end or side by side, such as stereo tape cartridges or other such articles such as cassettes and accessories, with certain labels or the like thereon displayed for visual identification of the artist, etc. and the selections performed and without opening the carton.

Some objects of the present invention are: to provide a new substantially pilfer-proof closed package or carton for containing stereo tape cartridges or cassettes and accessories while protecting same from damage; to provide such a carton adapted for direct visual display of goods therein without opening the same and retail sale to a customer; to provide such a carton or package adapted to maintain a pair of articles in spaced apart relation in a stable and secure position; and to provide such a carton which is economical to manufacture, simple to use, and particularly well suited for the proposed use, and the carton has substantially increased sales in addition to substantially reducing pilfering.

Another object is to provide a new carton or package which is of such length, width and thickness and having therein or for reception therein, at least one or more stereo tapes or cassettes in substantially the same plane, or at least one stereo tape cassette or the like with another different article therein, if desired, also in substantially the same plane, and the dimension and structure of such carton being such as to provide seeing the article and/or indicia thereon through suitable aperture means in at least one wall of the carton or package, and the size, shape, etc. of the carton or package being such to prevent anyone from pilfering same by placing same in a conventional pocket of mens, womens and childrens apparel without a substantial portion at least of the carton or package being readily visible to the proprietor or a clerk, or a detective in a store.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa carton or package embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view ofa blank of cardboard adapted to be folded into the carton or package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the carton or package taken on line 3-3, FIG. 1, with opposite ends of the carton closed.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral I generally designates a carton or package for containing a pair of spaced articles 2 and 3 in endto-end or side-by-side aligned relationship. The carton or package 1 has a pair of generally rectangular sidewalls 4 and 5 positioned in opposed relation and a pair of generally rectangular edge walls 6 and 7 also positioned in opposed relation with the edge walls 6 and 7 being substantially nonnal or perpendicular to the sidewalls 4 and 5 and connected thereto to define a rectangular chamber or compartment 8 having opposed closed ends 9 and 10, respectively, and having intermediate spacing and chamber defining members 11, at later described, and there being an extension of such chamber 8 thereabove.

The carton or package 1 is formed from a blank 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The blank is provided with a plurality of Iongitudinal score lines 14, 15, 16 and 17 that are spaced apart and cooperate with blank side edges 18 and 19 to define edge wall 6, sidewall 4, edge wall 7, sidewall 5 and side flap 20. The edge wall 6 is between the side edge 18 and score line 14 and the edge wall 7 is between score lines and 16 which define adjacent edges of sidewalls 4 and 5 respectively. The side flap 20 is along side of the sidewall 5 and between the score line 17 and side edge 19.

The opposite ends of the sidewalls 4 and 5 are overlapped and secured in such relationship in any suitable manner and edge walls 6 and 7 are defined by score lines 21 and 22 respectively. End flaps 23, 24, 25 and 26 extend outwardly from the score line 21 and are aligned with the edge walls 6 and 7 and side walls 4 and 5 respectively. End closure flaps 27, 28, 29 and 30 extend outwardly from the score line 22 and are aligned with the end walls 6 and 7 and side walls 4 and 5 respectively. It is noted that the side edge tab or flap 20 is not provided with end flaps. It is understood that other suitable end flap closure means may be used.

A pair of cut lines 31 and 32 intersect score line 16 intermediate the ends thereof. The cut lines 31 and 32 are substantially parallel and are substantially normal or perpendicular to the score line 16. The cut lines 31 and 32 each extend a like distance from the score line 16 and terminate at opposite ends of score lines 33 and 34 respectively, thereby defining one spacing member of the spacing means 11 with the spacing member having sidewalls 35 and 36 with the sidewall 35 being a portion of the edge wall 7 and the sidewall 36 being a portion of the carton or package sidewall 5.

Cut lines 37 and 38 are similarly positioned to intersect score line 17 and extend between score lines 39 and 40 to form spacing member sidewalls 41 and 42 with the sidewall 41 being a portion of the carton or package sidewall 5 and sidewall 42 being a portion of the side flap 20. Cut lines 43 and 44 intersect the free edge 18 of the edge wall 6 and are aligned with the cut lines 37 and 38 respectively. The cut lines 43 and 44 extend between the free edge 18 of the edge wall 6 and a score line 45 with the score line 45 being positioned substantially the same distance from the free edge 18 of the edge wall 6 as the score line 40 defining the fixed end of the sidewall 40 in the edge tab 18. The cut lines 31, 37 and 43 are aligned and cut lines 32, 38 and 44 are aligned and the cut lines 31, 37 and 43 are parallel with the cut lines 32, 38 and 44 so opposed edges of the walls thereof define transverse planes in the carton or package 1.

A suitable adhesive 46 is placed on the interior surface of the carton or package edge wall 6, however, the adhesive 46 could be placed on the exterior surface of the side flap 20 to secure the edge wall 6 and the side flap 20 together to form the chamber 8, as later described.

Generally rectangular apertures 47 and 48 are provided in at least one or both of the opposed carton or package sidewalls 4 and 5 respectively, and are positioned between the score line 21 and the spacing members 11. At least one or both sidewalls are preferably provided with a suitable transparent material, such as clear plastic, which is secured to the interior surfaces of the sidewalls 4 and 5 to close the apertures 47 and 48 thereby forming observation windows 49 and 50 respectively, for viewing opposite sides of the article within the carton l.

A tab 51 for hanging the carton l on a suitable support 52 is formed by a cut line 53 in one of the carton or package sidewalls, as for example sidewall 5, which will become the back of the carton 1. In the illustrated structure, the cut line 53 has parallel portions 54 and 55 extending outwardly from the score line 21 to opposite ends of an end portion 56 which is substantially parallel to the score line 21 and substantially normal or perpendicular to the parallel portions 54 and 55 thereby defining a generally U-shaped path for the cut line 53. A circular or annular out line 57 is positioned within the tab 51 and substantially centered between the parallel portions 54 and 55 and between the score line 21 and end portion 56 of the cut line 53 whereby the portion of the tab 51 or sidewall 5 within the annular cut line 57 may be removed.

Adhesive 58 and 59 is placed on the exterior surfaces of the end flaps 23 and 27 and the end flaps 26 and 30 respectively, to close the ends 9 and 10 of the chamber 8. In the illustrated structure, the adhesive 58 and 59 is placed in parallel strips with longitudinally spaced diagonal adhesive ridges to facilitate opening of the ends 9 and 10 of the carton or package 1.

In the illustrated structure, the carton or package sidewalls ton or package edge walls 6 and 7 is substantially shorter than the transverse dimension of the carton or package sidewalls 4 and to thereby form a thin, wide carton or package, as later described.

The spacing members 11 serve to define the chamber portions 8 and 8 at opposite corners formed by opposite edges of the sidewall 5 and are insertable into the carton or package intermediate the ends 9 and 10 to form chamber end portions for containing the spaced articles 2 and 3 respectively. Once snapped in, the spacing members 11 will remain in position because of the dimensions of the opening, that is, in order for the spacing member's 1l.to pass from the open" (unsnapped) position to the closed" (snapped inwardly) position, it is necessary for the adjacent sidewalls 35 and 36 or 41 and 42 to pass substantially simultaneously through an opening defined by a plane extending through the score lines 33 and 34 or 39 and 40 respectively, in the assembled carton or package. The plane is only a portion of the combined length of the walls 35 and 36 or 41 and 42. This can be done only because the structural members are somewhat resilient and flex sufficiently to permit the required movement, being made of cardboard or similar construction material. Once the spacing members 11 are snapped in, they are on a stable inverse deformation at score lines 16 and 17 and the deformation forces hold the spacing members 11 in place. Additionally, because of the shape of the articles 2 and 3, forces to snap the spacing means outwardly cannot reasonably develop within the carton 1. This is particularly true with all of the end flaps closed in position, thereby serving to maintain the rectangular dimensions of the entire carton.

To form the carton or package 1, the blank 12 is folded along the score lines l4, l5, l6 and 17 with the edge flap 20 overlying the edge wall 6 and said flap 20 secured to said edge wall 6 by the adhesive 46. The end flaps at one of the ends of the chamber 8, as for example end 10, are folded and secured together to close the respective end. In the illustrated structure, end flaps 27 and 28 are folded to extend inwardly and toward each other and end flap is secured to end flap 27 by the adhesive 59 thereon. The end flap 29 is then folded over the end flap 30 and secured thereto by the adhesive 59 thereon. The article 3 is placed in the carton 1 so as to engage the closed end 10. The spacing members 11 are urged in wardly to maintain the article 3 between the spacing members 11 and the end 10. The other article 2 is placed in the carton 1 with suitable labels aligned with the windows 49 and 50 and the end 9 of the chamber 8 is closed by closing the end flaps 23 and 24 of the edge walls 6 and 7 and the end flaps 25 and 26 of the sidewalls 4 and 5 by means of the adhesive 58.

The hereinbefore described carton or package, with the contents therein, are normally placed, a number of them, on a counter or the like for ready inspection and handling by customers, and said contents are viewable through aperture means in a wall of the closed carton or package and without a salesman or the customer having to open the carton or package, and in view of the unusual overall dimensions and shape of the respective cartons, pilfering of one or more cartons is at a minimum and also increased sales and profits are realized by the proprietor.

The invention herein includes: 1. The empty carton or package; 2. The carton or package with at least one article therein viewable while the carton or package is closed through aperture means; and 3. The carton or package with two articles in the same plane or in side-by-side or end-to-end relationship, whether the articles are the same or not, and with at least one of said articles viewable while the carton or package is closed through aperture means in a wall of the carton.

One example of the dimensions of the present closed carton or package, which may vary, of course, depending upon what article, articles or commodities are placed in the carton or package is: length of each sidewall 4 and 5 approximately 12", width approximately 4"; length of each edge wall 6 and 7 approximately l2", width approximately 3 4; length of closure end flaps 9 and 10 is 4" and width approximately l"to 1%"; and length of each end closure tabs 23, 24, 27 and 28 is approximately to l and width is A" to 1%".

It is to be understood that, while we have illustrated and described one form of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

We claim:

1. A pilfer-proof package comprising a tape cartridgelike article having a specified length, width and depth, a container for said article including a front panel, a rear panel, at least two side panels, a top end, and a bottom end, the container being comprised of an upper portion and a lower portion, said container having a length at least twice the length of said article and a width and depth at least as great as the width and depth of said article, support means being secured to at least one of said panels, a display pocket being formed in said container in the upper portion thereof, said pocket being defined by the panels of said container, the top end of said container, and said support means, an aperture being formed in at least one of said panels, opening into said pocket, said support means being positioned adjacent the lower edge of said aperture at a distance from said top end equal to the length of said article, said article being positioned in said pocket, supported by said support means, aligned with said aperture, and held against movement by at least one of said panels of said pocket. 

